Eye floaters
Floaters (myodesopsia), also known as “flies” or “floating bodies”, are dots, threads or small shadows that appear in the visual field and move as the eye moves. They are most noticeable when looking at a light surface, such as a white wall or the sky.
Important: if floaters appear suddenly, increase rapidly in number, or are accompanied by flashes of light or a shadow covering part of your visual field, see an ophthalmologist or go to an eye emergency department immediately: they may be a sign of a retinal tear or detachment.
Why do they appear?
The vitreous body is the clear, gel-like mass that fills the eye. Over the years its structure changes: it becomes more liquid, small clumps of fibres form, and sometimes it separates from the retina (posterior vitreous detachment). These clumps cast shadows on the retina, and that is what we see as floaters.
Who is most often affected?
- People over 50-60
- People with myopia, especially high myopia
- People who have had eye surgery, such as cataract surgery
- People who have had eye inflammation or have diabetes
Can they be eliminated?
There is no specific drug treatment for floaters. In most cases they are harmless and, over time, the brain learns to “ignore” them and they become less bothersome. In some cases they can persist for a long time.
If there are many of them or they greatly disturb your vision, talk to your ophthalmologist, who will assess the situation. In any case, when they appear for the first time, an eye examination is recommended to check the retina.
Find out more: eye diseases.